Answers issued to Members on 16 October 2007

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government regarding the Severn Bridge tolls? (WAQ50474)

The Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (Ieuan Wyn Jones): The Minister has had no discussions with UK Government regarding the Severn Bridge tolls.

Questions to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister please make a statement on her evaluation of functional mathematics in schools? (WAQ50465)

The Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (Jane Hutt): There is consensus amongst employers that many young people do not have the 'basics’ or 'functional’ mathematics needed for the workplace. I have decided that GCSE Mathematics should be strengthened, with greater emphasis on these skills.

In England, the approach being explored is to assess 'functional mathematics’ separately from GCSE Mathematics papers. My officials are keeping in close touch with that development. An alternative approach is being piloted in Wales to make these skills explicit in teaching and mathematics examinations. Learners would use work on the basics in GCSE mathematics and across their learning programmes to gain their Key Skills qualification. Learners need to practise the basics in a wide range of contexts and not just in lessons for a single subject. That is the strength of Key Skills, which are proving so successful here in Wales.

The WJEC will pilot this new GCSE in parallel with pilots of GCSE mathematics and functional skills in England. The two approaches will be evaluated independently for their effectiveness in raising skill levels, and their manageability for schools. I will make my final decisions based on evidence from those pilots. Improved GCSEs in mathematics will be available for teaching from September 2010.

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister outline the Welsh Assembly Government’s position regarding the possibility of extending the Contactpoint database to cover Wales?(WAQ50471)

Jane Hutt: The Welsh Assembly Government took powers in the Children Act 2004 equivalent to those in England to establish and operate a children’s information database.

We plan to carry out a scoping study this year to assess how effectively information is currently managed and shared amongst relevant professionals in Wales and other parts of the UK. The outcomes of that study will inform development of the most appropriate solution for children and young people in Wales.

Decisions on the way forward will require robust analysis, identifying how well and often data are utilised to support the development of positive outcomes for children. We shall particularly need to consider key issues of confidentiality, access, security and value.

Once proposals have been developed, they will be subject to wide consultation, incorporating the full range of ministerial portfolios and key external stakeholders whose work impacts upon children.

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister provide an update on the rollout of the Foundation Phase in Wales? (WAQ50472)

Jane Hutt: I remain fully committed to introducing the Foundation Phase from September 2008 and delivering the 'Building the Foundation Phase Action Plan’ launched last December. Since then we have:

• Undertaken a public consultation on the Foundation Phase Framework for Children’s Learning and amended the Framework in light of responses;

• Reviewed and amended all ten draft guidance documents following consultation with the pilot settings/schools;

• Produced draft guidance on 'Learning and Teaching Pedagogy’ and a Foundation Phase Profile which focuses on children’s ongoing achievements and stages of development.

• Developed a Foundation Phase National Training Pack;

• Worked with LEAs at local and consortia level to draw up a training programme to help all staff prepare for the delivery of the Foundation Phase;

• Extended the Foundation Phase to 42 'Early Start’ schools and funded non-maintained from September 2007;

• Provided grant funding for each local authority to appoint a Training and Support Officer to manage delivery of the Foundation Phase;

• Awarded grant funding of £2.5 million to enable non-maintained providers to access at least 10% of the time of a qualified teacher;

• Developed a communication strategy to raise public awareness and career opportunities for the workforce;

• Awarded grants to Learning through Landscapes and the Woodlands for Learning Forum to work with schools and LEAs on developing and adapting the outdoor learning environment;

• Established a National Project Management Group and support structure to oversee implementation of the Foundation Phase.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): What action is the Minister taking to ensure that Osteoporosis patients are able to access the treatments they require on the NHS? (WAQ50450)

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on any discussions she may have had with National Osteoporosis Society regarding the recent guidance from NICE concerning available NHS treatments for Osteoporosis? (WAQ50453)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): Services for osteoporosis are the responsibility of Local Health Boards and NHS Trusts. The Welsh Assembly Government has identified key actions in the NSF for Older People and the Service Development and the Commissioning Directives for Arthritis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions, to address the prevention, management and treatment of this condition.

I have had no meetings with the National Osteoporosis Society regarding NICE guidance on this subject.

Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the recent guidance from NICE regarding available NHS treatments for Osteoporosis? (WAQ50452)

Edwina Hart: NICE’s draft guidance for alendronate, a treatment for Osteoporosis, recommends its use for primary and secondary prevention for patients who meet a number of criteria that vary according to the patient’s age. NICE’s Appraisal Committee considered that, whilst all the other treatments have demonstrated efficacy, alendronate was the most clinically and cost effective of the treatments being appraised.

This is not NICE’s final guidance to the NHS and three appeals have been received, which will be heard by the Appeal Panel on 22 October. Final guidance will not be issued until the appeals have been resolved, although it is not possible to say when this will be, as it will depend on the outcome of the appeals.

If alendronate is not appropriate for certain patients, their health professionals can and should be able to prescribe an alternative based on their clinical judgment. Where this involves drugs that have not been supported by NICE guidance, a case will need to be made to commissioners.

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): What considerations has the Minister given to supporting autism assistance dog training for children with autism? (WAQ 50464)

Edwina Hart: There are no plans at present to support autism assistance dog training for children with autism. Officials are aware of a pilot scheme which is being run by a voluntary sector organisation in England and have asked to be kept informed of their findings.

The Welsh Assembly Government’s ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales went out to consultation earlier this year and reponses are being analysed.

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister list how many NHS dentists are accepting new adult patients in each local health board in Wales? (WAQ50466)

Edwina Hart: Access to dental treatment fluctuates daily, affected as it is through patient turnover and by LHBs developing their commissioning role to develop new services to meet the local clinical need. It is only possible, therefore, to provide a snapshot of the position, although the dental contract and the additional resources provided has had a positive impact on improving access.

The number of NHS dental practices accepting new patients at 12 October 2007 is contained in the table below.

Carl Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside): Will the Minister make a statement on stocks of the Flu vaccine for this winter? (WAQ50467)

Edwina Hart: The latest reports from vaccine manufacturers indicate that they will be able to fulfill all pre-existing orders placed by GP surgeries in Wales for supplies of Flu vaccine.

Lorraine Barrett (Cardiff South and Penarth): Will the Minister make a statement on service and commissioning directives for neurological conditions in Wales? (WAQ50468)

Edwina Hart: Service Development and Commissioning Directives are currently being developed for the neurological condition epilepsy, which will shortly be issued for consultation.

Lorraine Barrett (Cardiff South and Penarth): Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of specialist services for children and young people with neurological conditions in Wales? (WAQ50469)

Edwina Hart: In South Wales the majority of children and young people that require treatment for specialist paediatric neurological conditions are treated as part of an existing network. The network operates across South Wales, and only very rare neurological conditions are referred to Supra Regional Centres in England.

Children and Young people who are resident in North Wales are treated by Specialists based at Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital.

As part of the Children and Young People’s Specialised Services Project (CYPSSP), service specific standards and models for the delivery of the service are currently being developed. The Children and Young People’s specialised services project (CYPSSP) was established following a ministerial announcement in October 2002 that the future for specialised health services for children in Wales would be through the development of Managed Clinical Networks.

The draft Paediatric Neurology standards have been developed by an External Working Group whose membership is comprised of clinicians responsible for delivering the service across Wales, Commissioners, Voluntary organisations and parents of children with neurological conditions.

The Neurology standards will be published for a public consultation later in 2007 and the final document will be published at the end of the project in 2008.